Method and apparatus for site treatment of an orthodontic patient

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating an orthodontic patient include processing that begins by generating digital information regarding the orthodontic patient by a site orthodontic system. The site orthodontic system then transmits the digital information to an orthodontic server, which creates an electronic patient record therefrom. The orthodontic server then generates an initial treatment from the electronic patient record, wherein the initial treatment plan includes precise steps to obtain a desired orthodontic structure. The orthodontic server then transmits a digital version of the initial treatment plan to the site orthodontic system. Upon confirmation from the site orthodontic system, the orthodontic server designs an orthodontic apparatus for one of the precise steps based on the treatment plan. The orthodontic apparatus is then fabricated and provided to the site orthodontic system. At predetermined points in time after installation of the orthodontic apparatus in accordance with the treatment plan, the patient's mouth is electronically scanned to obtain updated digital information. The site orthodontic system provides the updated digital information to the orthodontic server, which uses the updated digital information to update the electronic patient record. From the updated electronic patient record, the orthodontic server determines whether the actual movement of the patient's teeth is as predicted. If so, the next step of the initial treatment plan is executed. If, however, the actual movement is not as predicted, the orthodontic server adjusts the treatment plan to obtain the desired results. After the treatment plan has been adjusted, the next step of the revised treatment plan is executed. This monitoring of a patient's progress and revising the treatment plan, when necessary, continues throughout the treatment.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for site treating an orthodontic patient, the method comprises the steps of: 
       a) generating digital information regarding the orthodontic patient;  
       b) transmitting the digital information to an orthodontic server wherein the digital information includes a three-dimensional image of the orthodontic structure of the orthodontic patient;  
       c) receiving a digital version of an initial treatment plan, wherein the initial treatment plan was generated by the orthodontic server from the digital information, wherein the initial treatment plan includes precise steps to obtain a desired orthodontic structure;  
       d) updating the digital information after placement of brackets of an orthodontic apparatus, wherein the orthodontic apparatus was designed in accordance with one of the precise steps and wherein the updated digital information includes a three-dimensional image of the orthodontic structure and the brackets placed on the orthodontic structure; and  
       e) transmitting the updated digital information to the orthodontic server.  
     
     
       2. The method of claim  1  further comprising the step of, prior to the updating step, providing confirmation of the initial treatment plan to the orthodontic server. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim  1  further comprising the step of: 
       generating digital information pertaining to an actual orthodontics structure of the patient which resulted from application of the orthodontics apparatus, wherein the orthodontic apparatus includes a wire that provides three-dimensional displacement in relation to placement of brackets in accordance with the one of the precise steps when the placement of the brackets have been placed within the given tolerance.  
     
     
       4. The method of claim  1 , wherein step (a) further comprises generating the digital information to include a two dimensional image of the orthodontic patient's orthodontic structure, and patient data. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim  4 , further comprising the steps of: 
       scanning the orthodontic patient's mouth to obtain video data of the patient's orthodontic structure; and  
       converting the video data into the three-dimensional image.  
     
     
       6. The method of claim  1 , wherein step (b) further comprises transmitting the digital information to the orthodontic server via at least one of: an internet connection, a local area network connection, a wide area network connection, a direct connection, and a modem connection. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim  1  further comprises, for each application of a corresponding apparatus of the initial treatment plan, 
       generating a three-dimensional image of the orthodontic patient's current orthodontic structure; and  
       providing the three-dimensional image to the orthodontic server.  
     
     
       8. A method for site treating an orthodontic patient, the method comprises the steps of: 
       a) generating digital information regarding the orthodontic patient;  
       b) transmitting the digital information to an orthodontic server;  
       c) receiving a digital version of an initial treatment plan, wherein the initial treatment plan was generated by the orthodontic server from the digital information, wherein the initial treatment plan includes precise steps to obtain a desired orthodontic structure;  
       d) updating the digital information after placement of brackets of an orthodontic apparatus, wherein the orthodontic apparatus was designed in accordance with one of the precise steps;  
       e) transmitting the updated digital information to the orthodontic server and  
       f) further updating the digital information after replacement of the brackets when the placement of at least one of the brackets exceeds the given tolerance.  
     
     
       9. A method for site treating an orthodontic patient, the method comprises the steps of: 
       a) scanning the orthodontic patient's mouth to obtain video data of the patient's orthodontic structure, wherein the step of scanning is performed after initial placement of an orthodontic appliance onto the orthodontic structure in accordance with an initial treatment plan generated by an orthodontic server, and where the orthodontic appliance includes at least one bracket;  
       b) converting the video data into a three-dimensional image of the orthodontic patient's orthodontic structure and the at least one bracket as placed on the orthodontic structure; and  
       c) transmitting digital information to the orthodontic server, wherein the digital information includes the three-dimensional image and the at least one bracket as placed on the orthodontic structure;  
       d) whereby the orthodontic server may compare the three dimensional image with the initial treatment plan to determine whether an adjustment to the initial treatment plan needs to be made.  
     
     
       10. The method of claim  9 , further comprising the steps of: 
       receiving a digital version of an initial treatment plan, wherein the initial treatment plan was generated by the orthodontic server from the digital information, wherein the initial treatment plan includes precise steps to obtain a desired orthodontic structure; and  
       providing confirmation of the initial treatment plan to the orthodontic server.  
     
     
       11. The method of claim  9 , wherein the orthodontic apparatus includes a wire that provides three-dimensional displacement in relation to placement of brackets in accordance with one of the precise steps. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim  9 , wherein step (c) further comprises transmitting the digital information to the orthodontic server via at least one of: an internet connection, a local area network connection, a wide area network connection, a direct connection, and a modem connection. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim  9 , further comprising the steps, for each application of a corresponding apparatus of the initial treatment plan, of 
       generating a three-dimensional image of the orthodontic patient's current orthodontic structure; and  
       providing the three-dimensional image to the orthodontic server.  
     
     
       14. A system for site treating an orthodontic patient, the system comprises: 
       a processing module; and  
       memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory stores operational instructions that cause the processing module to: (a) generate digital information regarding the orthodontic patient including a three-dimensional image of orthodontic structure of the patient; (b) transmit the digital information to an orthodontic server; (c) receive a digital version of an initial treatment plan, wherein the initial treatment plan was generated by the orthodontic server from the digital information, wherein the initial treatment plan includes precise steps to obtain a desired orthodontic structure; (d) update the digital information after placement of brackets of an orthodontic apparatus, wherein the orthodontic apparatus was designed in accordance with one of the precise steps, and wherein the updated digital information includes a three-dimensional image of the orthodontic structure and the brackets placed on the orthodontic structure; and (e) transmit the updated digital information to the orthodontic server.  
     
     
       15. The system of claim  14 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to provide, prior to the updating step, confirmation of the initial treatment plan to the orthodontic server. 
     
     
       16. The system of claim  14 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to: 
       further update the digital information after replacement of the brackets when the placement of at least one of the brackets exceeds the given tolerance.  
     
     
       17. The system of claim  14 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to: 
       generate digital information pertaining to an actual orthodontics structure of the patient which resulted from application of the orthodontics apparatus, wherein the orthodontic apparatus includes a wire that provides three-dimensional displacement in relation to placement of brackets in accordance with the one of the precise steps when the placement of the brackets have been placed within the given tolerance.  
     
     
       18. The system of claim  14 , wherein the orthodontics apparatus further comprises at least one of: brackets, a wire, head gear, rubber band placement, and a retaining structure. 
     
     
       19. The system of claim  14 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to generate the digital information to include a two dimensional image of the orthodontic patient's orthodontic structure, and patient data. 
     
     
       20. The system of claim  19 , wherein the system further comprises a scanner operable to scan the orthodontic patient's mouth to obtain video data of the patient's orthodontic structure; and a processor operable to convert the video data into the three-dimensional image. 
     
     
       21. The system of claim  14 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to transmit the digital information to the orthodontic server via at least one of: an internet connection, a local area network connection, a wide area network connection, a direct connection, and a modem connection. 
     
     
       22. The system of claim  14 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to, for each application of a corresponding apparatus of the initial treatment plan, 
       generate a three-dimensional image of the orthodontic patient's current orthodontic structure; and  
       provide the three-dimensional image to the orthodontic server.